Knowing When to Call for Help

February 20, 2018, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Winter is a dangerous time, and many of us underestimate how dangerous it can be when we head off on outdoor adventures. Whether it’s snowmobiling, ATV riding, skiing, driving, or snowshoeing, accidents can happen quickly. How you respond will determine whether you live another day or in some cases die. The key survival can be knowing when to call for help.

Recently a man was in the news having survived what sees at first glance a minor misstep while snowmobiling. Sixty-six-year-old Norman Preteau was out on a routine ride from his remote camp near Churchill, Manitoba to a family reunion 160 km away. He is a Metis trapper, and a Canadian Forces Ranger. A man who spent his life outdoors and is well trained and confident in his outdoor survival skills.

The trail he was on had blown over with snow and he suddenly had no idea exactly where the packed down trail was. He proceeded with caution, but his machine was suddenly off the trail and he was chest deep in snow. The machine was well stuck in the deep snow. He tried for 12 hours to move the machine using all of his tricks including using firewood, and pulleys but the machine just sand deeper. The temperature was near -37’C which compromised his sat phone battery. The windchill was near -51’C. He says that until that moment he though he was invincible, and that he had never doubted his skills. Now he was suddenly soaked in sweat, wobbly and had chest discomfort – he had had a heart attack.

Faced with exhaustion, and nightfall. He determined that to survive he would have to activate his SPOT device and hunker down. His water was now frozen and he had no food. The SPOT sent an SOS and his location to the OPP and his emergency contacts.  Help arrived about 12 hours later. OPP found him in a fetal position turtleneck covering his face, hood pulled down and hands in pockets trying to conserve his core temperature. He was exhausted and disoriented but alive. He spent 8 days recovering in the hospital.

Had he waited to call for help he would be dead.

For many people pride prevents them from asking for help even in much less dramatic situations. This can be extended to the many people who have car accidents but downplay their injuries out of fear. It is a natural instinct to protect yourself. Admitting you haven’t and that you need help can be very hard.

I admire this man for being prepared, taking the correct steps to self rescue, and realizing when ti was time to call for help.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.